Uniquity Builders, Inc.

What's Your Home Remodel or Construction Misperception?

We recently had a neighbor stroll by a home we're building yelling, "When the $**&& are you gonna to get this house done?  You've been working on it since last February!"

Luckily my husband and General Contractor, Bill, was at the site.  He was able to diplomatically, and good naturedly, put this neighbor's misperceptions to rest by showing him the permit card, clearly proving when we actually started construction.

What misperceptions do you have about remodeling your home, or even building a new one?  Maybe you think it will take too long, or you won't be able to live in your house while it's being remodeled.  Maybe you think it will cost too much, or you've heard horror stories about how the contractor doesn't show up, or worse yet takes off after getting the down payment...

Those "misperceptions", and more, are true in some cases.  We read or hear about them regularly.  That's why we make it a point to have our customers give us testimonials after we've completed their projects.  Click Here to visit our website and see what some of our customers are saying.

As far as our "friendly" neighbor goes, he admitted he may not have remembered accurately, although no apology was forthcoming...

I invite our readers to comment, or call us, with your "can I or can't I do this" questions. 

Can You Recoup Your Remodel Costs?

If you're thinking about remodeling your home, you may be wondering if you'll ever get your money back, should you decide to sell.  The annual Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling Magazine may be what you need to gain some insight. 

Keep in mind that the data used in this report is based on estimates by remodeling contractors for hypothetical projects, and estimated resale data has been provided by Realtors®.  This doesn't take into account fluctuations in the economy and the real estate market. 

The construction cost estimates are generated by HomeTech Information Systems of Bethesda, Maryland.  They look at a nationwide network of remodeling contractors for labor costs, and then prepare a construction estimate for each project.  They adjust baseline costs for each city to account for pricing variations.

Based on construction estimating software we have used in the past, this brings some of the data into question, as we have not found any estimating software we trust.  It didn't take us long to figure out, after losing money on a project, that the old fashioned, but reliable, manual cost estimating works best.  Aside from that consideration, you may find some of the data interesting, so I thought it was worth sharing.  All data I'm sharing here is from the Pacific region. 

The highest return on your investment for midrange remodeling (relatively small projects) was in replacing your front entry door with a new steel door.  According to the study, this actually returned 112% of replacement costs.  In comparison, replacing the entry door with a fiberglass entry door only returned 67.8%.

Next highest return was in replacing your garage door, which came in at 96.4%.  Other areas where you can get a respectable 80% or more return are as follows.

 -  Adding wood deck                                            86.5% return

 - Adding fiber cement siding                            85.6% return

 - Minor kitchen remodel                                    84.1% return

 - Replace windows with wood windows         83.3% return

 - Basement remodel                                            82.6% return

 - Replace windows with vinyl windows           80.5% return

 Interestingly, although we get many requests for estimates for composite decking, the return on investment came in lower than wood decking at 79.1%.  In our personal experience, composite decking is not necessarily the maintenance free product it is touted to be.  Ours is delaminating before our eyes...

The lowest return on investment was in adding a sunroom.  So, if you're thinking of adding one to capture those rays, be aware that you may only get back about 53.3% of the money you invest in its construction. 

For more details, and to see data for other regions of the U.S., Click Here to visit Remodeling Magazine's website. 

A Roof that Eats Smog?

 

When we lived in sunny Southern California and commuted 25 miles into Pasadena, there were many days that we couldn't see the San Gabriel mountains because the smog was so thick and heavy.  On clear days, though, those mountains were so vibrant and colorful I thought I'd died and gone to heaven to get to live there.  That was over 25 years ago, and now the smog is even thicker and heavier...

Leave it to us ingenious Americans to come up with a solution to even smog. 

Boral USA, the country's largest premium provider of roofing solutions, has introduced a tile roof that can neutralize the exhaust smog from vehicles.  Imagine being able to improve air quality, inhibit mold and algae growth, and zap up to 10,800 car miles of smog annually with your roof! 

How does it work?  According to their website, "When the tiles are exposed to light, the photo catalyst on the surface speeds up the oxidation process to reduce pollution.  When it rains, the small quantity of organic residue is washed off the roof."

Boral Roofing has teamed up with KB Homes and the City of Lancaster, in Southern California, to address the smog and showcase how the smog eating roof can reduce energy costs and ultimately alleviate many respiratory illnesses caused by smog. 

Although we no longer live in Southern California, we travel down there often when visiting our timeshare in Palm Desert.  With enough smog eating roofs, we'll enjoy our travels even more!

For more information, and to visit their website Click Here, and don't forget to check out our Featured Video on the home page of this blog. 

Find Recycling on Your iPhone

When you finally get to take that long awaited vacation, you'll probably be accumulating lots of cans and bottles as you go about your travels.  Rather than letting them pile up in the back of your car, or sit in your hotel room, why not return them to the closest recycling center and get a little extra spending money at the same time?   Of course, the iPhone has an App for that! 

The Find Recycling app helps you locate various recycling points around your current location and will then guide you there with a map.

Recycling centers are being added regularly by folks just like you.  So, if you happen to find one that's not on their list, be sure and add it.  Some areas have complete coverage, while others are still being updated.  The app is FREE, so Elbatrop, Ltd., the makers of this app, will pass on any submitted recycling points to OpenStreetMap in order to share the data with all of us. 

Find Recycling uses the built-in GPS on the iPhone to pick-up your current location, but can also locate an iPod Touch in built-up WiFi areas.   So, the next time you're traveling, don't leave home without your Find Recycling app on your iPhone.

Habitat for Humanity's Restore - Another Way to Green-cycle Your Home

 
 
As we get closer to spring, many of us will be in the "get rid of it and simplify life" mode.  It's only January, and my husband and I are already looking around our house thinking about what we can give away to a good home or "green-cycle".   You can now open up more space in your home while supporting the earth, recycling and being eco-conscious, and donate to an excellent cause all at the same time by donating your gently used items to Habitat for Humanity's Restores.

In the Calaveras County, California area where we live, you will find a restore in San Andreas.  All donated items are sold to the public, and the proceeds allow Habitat to build more affordable housing in our community. 

Click Here to get more information at their website. 

 They are currently accepting:

• Appliances in good condition
• Cabinets
• Doors and Windows
• Flooring
• Furniture
• Hand and Power Tools
• Hardware
• Light and Plumbing Fixtures
• Tile
• Unused construction lumber

There are Habitat for Humanity Restores all across the United States and Canada.  Find one near you at their website.  Click Here for more information.